Wanzai County in southern China has undergone a remarkable evolution since 2000. The commitment of the local government has made Wanzai into one of China’s most important organic agricultural production zones. Institutions and government support are vital for the development of organic agriculture. This article shows how the Wanzai County government changed from driver to guide in the process. Governments at the county, township and village levels formalised and institutionalised financial and technical support, mediating between farmers and enterprises and attracting investments to broaden organic market channels. Their experiences could be a reference for other remote areas with similar environmental and economic conditions.